For players who have achieved something distinct in the league, ‘salary’ is sometimes intertwined with honor and pride rather than personal livelihood. Choo Shin-soo (41, SSG), the best fielder in Korean baseball history, and Oh Seung-hwan (41, Samsung), the best closer in Korean baseball history, are such players.
Choo Shin-soo’s annual salary last year was 2.7 billion won, and Oh Seung-hwan’s was 1.6 billion won. It can be said that it is an amount that includes symbolism other than skill. Basically, they are players with high annual salaries, so in fact, they are also players whose annual salary is not easy to pay for simply looking at their contribution in one season. Conversely, the club also has no choice but to be cautious. It is because the self-esteem of the players must be built up to some extent. It’s not easy to cut back just like high school students.
SSG and Samsung also had a lot of trouble over the 2023 annual salary of the two players. Looking at last year’s performance, it was clear that it was subject to cuts. In the process of coordinating this, something could go wrong with the players, so careful movements continued. However, as a result, the two players decided that they would ‘take what they give’. I didn’t cling so much to the pride of money or salary.
SSG offered an annual salary of 1.7 billion won, a 1 billion won cut to Choo Shin-soo, who was contemplating retirement at the end of last season. 1.7 billion won is not a small amount of money, but as a player, it was possible to focus on ‘reducing 1 billion won’. The 1 billion won cut was the highest level ever for a non-FA player.
However, money did not mean much to Choo Shin-soo, who decided to play one more season. Rather, he was well aware that the club’s salary cap had inflated. He stamped the club’s offer as it is. Choo Shin-soo explained the reason for taking the stamp at once, saying, “I also won the Korean Series, so I have to raise other players (with my salary cut). Other players should not be harmed because of me.”
Oh Seung-hwan, who continued salary negotiations with Samsung, also decided to ‘leave the job’ in the end. Oh Seung-hwan was also subject to a cut, and Samsung is considering a lower salary than last year. As the negotiations idled, Oh Seung-hwan decided to put everything down and follow the club’s wishes rather than putting himself on the line.
Samsung said, “As the team’s oldest player, I conveyed to the club its intention to entrust the annual salary for 2023 with the meaning of the white guard for the individual and team rebound this season, as well as fulfilling responsibility for the team’s performance that did not advance to the postseason.” “he explained. Samsung will also finally review Oh Seung-hwan’s annual salary, but in any case, it is expected that the 2023 salary will reflect more the club’s will than the player’s. 온라인카지노
Both players, who have virtually finished negotiating salaries, seem to be prepared to forget last year and think only of this year. Shin-soo Choo was delayed in preparing for the season compared to other players due to elbow surgery last year, and only played 112 games, missing from the first team due to injuries twice during the season. Although he still showed excellent on-base percentage, he himself said his batting average (.259) was disappointing. His personal commitment is great as he is having a much more normal spring camp this year compared to the past 2 years.
Oh Seung-hwan recorded 31 saves in 57 games of the season, but faced an unexpected predicament around the All-Star break. He also had seven blown saves and more than one blown win. As seen in his batting average (.263), it is generally evaluated that he was not as intimidated as before. However, as he still maintains his physical ability, there is also an expectation that he has a good chance of rebounding.